Join Us

What You Need to Know about Joining Air Cadets

Registration night for New recruits for the 2018 – 2019 season is Sept 19th at A.Y. Jackson starting at 1900(7:00 pm). See below for more information.

How to Find Us

A.Y Jackson High School, 150 Abbeyhill Drive, Kanata MAP. Enter from the double doors centered on the parking lot. A cadet or member of our staff/sponsoring committee will direct you to the correct room.
We meet most Wednesday nights Sept to June from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

If you miss our registration night or your child does not turn 12 until later in the training year please drop by any Wednesday night (Please check our calendar before you come there are several weeks when we are at another school) and speak to one of the staff or contact us for more information about the program.

A parent/legal guardian MUST accompany the potential new cadet and remain with them until the registration process is complete. Registration could take up to 90 minutes. If you’re unable to stay that long, please contact us to arrange another date.

Please bring originals & a photocopy of the following:

– current Health insurance card (preference is for OHIP, but private is also acceptable.
– Birth certificate, Canadian passport or Canadian Government issued ID card

We look forward to seeing you there!

To join cadets, you must:

be a legal resident of Canada:
NOTE: A legal resident of Canada is a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, or, the dependent of a person who is lawfully resident in Canada on a temporary basis for the purpose of education or employment.

be at least 12 years of age, Proof of age: a birth certificate issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government agency (bring originals & a photocopy);

Proof of health insurance: Provincial or Territorial health insurance card.
Please have these original documents with you when you attend registration.

not have attained 19 years of age;

normally be in good physical condition;

not belong to another corps or squadron; and

be acceptable to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the cadet corps or squadron.

Q – What are the Air Cadets?A – We are an organization for both boys & girls 12 -18 of age. The purpose of the cadet squadron is to develop youth leadership and promote physical fitness and active citizenship.

Q – Why should I join cadets?A – You will learn about flight (power & gliding), survival, teamwork, leadership and much more. You will make new friends and experience exciting and challenging adventures. Many successful Canadians such as Colonel Chris Hadfield (first Canadian astronaut to take command of the International Space Station), Myriam Bedard, Captain Marc Garneau, Rick Mercer, and actors Timothy Dalton & Jim Carey are all former cadets.

Q – Does this mean I will have to join the Canadian Forces?A – Absolutely not. This is a civilian organization which fosters youth leadership, physical fitness and active citizenship, with the assistance of Canadian Forces personnel.

Q – What does it cost to join?
A – Although there is no direct cost to you, parents and cadets are expected to participate in and contribute to fundraising activities throughout the year. The funds generated are necessary in order to run the program. For the past few years we have provide two options on registration night. You can make an $80 donation per cadet which helps to cover the initial start up costs for the cadet year or you can participate in the “Auto Lotto”. With Auto Lotto you purchase two booklets of Lottery ticket for $120 you then sell these tickets to friend and family. If you sell all of the ticket you recoup your $120 investment. Visit the Auto Lottopage to learn more. Payments can be made by cash or cheque, payable to “872 Kiwanis Kanata Air Cadet Squadron”.

Q – Who instructs the cadets?A – Senior Cadets instruct junior cadets through weekly classes. Cadets also learn from members of the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC’s), officers who are specially trained to instruct and supervise youth. In some cases civilian instructors and volunteers are called upon to assist.

Q – Can I learn how to fly?A –Yes, but not everyone gets to learn. The ones who pass medical and written exams qualify for aircraft and glider pilot scholarships. Other advanced training also exists for Senior Leadership, Athletics, Survival, and more.

Q – Do cadets also teach summer courses?A – Qualified senior cadets get to teach and get paid to be staff cadets. Again small allowances are also given when you attend the summer camps.

Q – Do you have to pay for Camps?A – No. The meals, travel, lodging and instructions are free.

Proof of age:

a valid Canadian passport;

a birth certificate issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government agency;

any card, visa or permit (work, study, resident, etc.) (with photo) issued by the Canadian government which legally authorizes the person to reside in Canada for an extended period of time; or

any identification card (with or without photo) issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal government agency. No certificates of live birth please.